QS World University Rankings Trajectory — Top 8 African Institutions, 2022–2026 (Chart 1B)

Lower rank number = stronger global position · Section 1: Research Output Benchmarks

⚠ QS revised its methodology for the 2024 cycle, adding employment outcomes, sustainability, and international research networks. The 2023→2024 jump for Stellenbosch (~170 places) and UCT (~87 places) partly reflects this structural change — not purely organic improvement.

Sources: QS World University Rankings 2022–2026. Band ranges (e.g. 571–580) converted to midpoint for charting. UCT: #237 (2023) → #171 (2025) → ~#150 (2026 cycle). Stellenbosch: #454 (2023) → #283 (2024). Cairo: 571–580 band (2022) → #347 (2026). Ain Shams: 801–1,000 band (2022) → #542 (2026). Makerere: peaked 901–950 (2025) → 1,001–1,200 (2026). Research Reporter source: BETA-68.

BETAR.africa Data & Visual Journalism · Q1 2026 Research-to-Revenue Gap Report · Section 1 · BETA-67